Chavism has achieved certain successes (for some undeniable, for others disputable), but has failed in other aspects, and runs the risk of leaning toward a semi-authoritarianism wrapped in a plebiscitary democracy, according to the author.

Zidane Zeraoui believes that for the fight against drug-trafficking and organized crime to succeed in Mexico, Felipe Calderon‘s government must take drastic measures: reforming and cleansing the police, and acting firmly with respect for the law.

The neo-liberal government’s succession in the last decade of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st has left the government of Daniel Ortega a devastated Nicaragua and sinking into poverty, with important challenges to confront. The new army seems to show their willingness to assume the challenges.